Types of Braces
REMOVABLE BRACES
Removable appliances are devices that can achieve results under the careful guidance of your orthodontist and with your cooperation.
BITE PLANES, HABIT BREAKERS & EXPANDERS
These are types of removable appliances that correct bites, control habits such as tooth grinding or clenching, tongue thrusting and thumb sucking. These appliances are used until the harmful habit has stopped.
RETAINERS
The most common removable appliance is the “retainer.†It is worn after your braces are removed to hold teeth in their corrected positions.
FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES & HEADGEARS
Terms you may hear from your orthodontist or other patients include “Headgear”, “Twin Block”, “Activator,” “Bionator,” “Herbst” and “Frankel.” These types of appliances usually are used with young patients who are still growing. The purpose of these types of appliances is to modify facial growth, reposition the jaws and control the tongue, lips and cheeks to keep them from interfering with tooth position.
CLEAR ALIGNERS
These transparent plastic removable braces are an attractive alternative to fixed braces for the adult patient. If you are a good candidate for clear aligners, the orthodontist will make a high definition imprint of your teeth and submit them to a clear aligner fabricating lab that will custom make your prescription aligners for you. These aligners are sequentially worn and changed every two-three weeks and apply pressure on the teeth that need correction.
Since removable appliances can easily be taken out by the patient, there may be a tendency not to wear them as prescribed. This means running the risk of having teeth, jaws and muscles move toward their original positions prior to treatment. To determine if removable appliances are right for you or a member of your family, we urge you to consult an orthodontist
FIXED BRACES
SPACE MAINTAINERS
Children may need space maintainers if they lose a tooth early or have a baby (primary) tooth extracted due to dental decay. If either is the case A space maintainer may be custom-made by orthodontist to keep the space open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place. Baby teeth are important to the development of the teeth, jaw bones and muscles and help to guide permanent teeth into position when the baby teeth are lost. If a space is not maintained, then teeth can shift into the open space and orthodontic treatment may be required. Not every child who loses a baby tooth early or to dental decay requires a space maintainer; however, a professional consultation with your dentist or orthodontist should be conducted to determine if using a space maintainer is needed.
ORTHODONTIC EXPANDERS
Arch expansion is one of the most common ways to eliminate crowding and crossbites in growing patients. Successful upper jaw expansion requires that this is done before the two bones that form the roof of the mouth fuse. The expander is attached to the upper arch by bands placed around the teeth or plastic bonded over the teeth. Although there are removable expanders, fixed ones have an important advantage in that they cannot be lost or forgotten.
ORTHODONTIST TIPS
Foods to Avoid
Hard or sticky food will do damage by bending wires, loosening cement that seals the bands to the teeth, or breaking brackets away from the teeth.
Do Not Eat
Popcorn, nuts, peanut brittle, ice (even if you're careful), lemons (pure lemon juice has acid), corn on the cob, Mexican style or Dorrito type chips, taffy, caramels, gum, or sticky candy.
Do Not Eat
Foods high in sugar content (to protect your dental health)
Refer a Friend
Refer a friend and your next checkup and cleaning is free*
* Note: Only applies to checkup and not additional dental procedures that patient requests as a result of checkup.